After several meetings with department heads spanning over the past couple of years, aldermen approved a salary plan proposal that will be implemented into the city's 2007 budget.

Alderman Randal Crouch pointed out after Thursday's meeting the plan was done by a professional, Blair Johanson, and reflected views from several other cities and differences to get a conglomerate value of where the city should be with its salaries.

"When I worked on the salary plan last year, I pointed out to the city at that time, I was having to work with 2- and 3-year-old data," Crouch said. "We knew we were behind at the time, we just didn't know how much behind. Tonight, we recommended the salary plan goes into place, which simply means we've adjusted the minimum and maximum figures.

"We'll be looking at next year's budget to see how much raises can be afforded in that budget. I'm glad to see it finished. I'm glad to see it done. We accomplished what we wanted last year; we got it done. Now, we're seeing the fruits of our labor. It should take about three years to get the city where it needs to be. We hope to be on par with the averages of other cities within three years."

Russellville's revenue budgets and anticipated revenue increases (in percent and dollar amounts), full-time salary budgets, and anticipated increases in percentage and dollar amounts of full-time salary budgets for the years 2007-11 were provided.

Planning area boundary

City planner Jim von Tungeln told the council up to five meetings had been held to establish a planning area boundary for the city of Russellville.

He explained a boundary map is available for viewing at Russellville City Hall or Public Works (on El Paso Avenue, behind Russellville Police Station). Negotiations reached on water and fire provisions should allow Russellville "to grow to the north for many years to come," he said.

In other business Thursday night, the council:

Approved a resolution for a special use permit to install an off-premises sign for Days Inn in a C-2 (commercial) zone for property at 105 W. Birch St.

Read first time by title only with a short description, then adopted an ordinance to rezone property presently C-4 (commercial) to R-3 (residential) to construct four-plexes at East Carthage.

Passed a resolution to set a public hearing for Oct. 19 and accompanying ordinance to close the 400 block of West Third Street between South El Paso and South Glenwood Avenues, submitted by First Baptist Church, 200 block of West Third Street.

Read for the first time an ordinance for removal of dilapidated structures, located at 1822 S. Knoxville; 421 E. G St.; 820 West Second St.; and 312 E. E St.

Approved the nomination of Dr. Dusty Bonds to the Board of Adjustment.

Amended Ordinance 1339, establishment of the Russellville Airport Commission, to increase the number of commissions from the current five to seven members.

Approved the nomination of Jerry Akin of Pottsville and Bob Burris to the Russellville Airport Commission.

Decided to wait until next February or March to re-bid for the East Harrell Drive extension project.

Discussed the city's heavy truck ordinance. Alderman Tyrone Williamson said he had received calls from truck drivers and business owners about getting ticketed for not following the ordinance.

Public Works Director Morgan Barrett said it would be reasonable to allow truck traffic on some roads near railroad tracks. The problem is, he said, there is not a route south of the railroad tracks to go from east to west through town.

Mayor Raye Turner said a committee would meet Friday to discuss the issue.